The Current

CBC

Three stories to expand your worldview, delivered daily. Matt Galloway cuts through a sea of choice to bring you stories that transcend the news cycle. Conversations with big thinkers, household names, and people living the news. An antidote to algorithms that cater to what you already know — and a meeting place for diverse perspectives. In its 20 years, the Current has become a go-to place for stories that shape and entertain us. Released daily, Monday to Friday.

The Current is produced in Toronto, Ontario, Canada — and has recently recorded live shows about the Canadian election in Surrey and Burnaby BC. And shows to come in Oshawa and the 905, Red Deer, Alberta, Quebec City and Halifax.

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116 episodes
Avg 18 min
English

Episodes 116

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September 25 · 19 min
Would the U.S. invade Canada?
Donald Trump ruled out using military force to annex Canada. The head of US Pacific Command called the idea of attacking Canada "preposterous." But Mark Carney called it an "extreme tail risk" that would be "irresponsible" not to prepare. We unpack the Canadian Prime Minister's eye-catching interview with the New York Times, with Stephen Saideman, a professor of political science at Carleton University’s Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, and Wendy Gilmour, Vice-Chair of the Boa
September 25 · 23 min
How often do your parents tell you the same story?
Have you heard that same story over and over again from your aging parents?  Mary Ann McColl certainly did.  But instead of just complaining, like the rest of us, she decided to study the stories to see if there was something more there.  Mary Ann is a professor emerita of occupational therapy at Queens University. Her new book is The Ten Stories: What Aging Parents Want Us to Hear. Mary Ann's research might help you find patience with your older loved ones and their stories. <
September 24 · 19 min
What's at stake in Quebec's election
Emilie Nicolas, columnist for Le Devoir, and Michel C. Auger, columnist for La Presse break down the state of play in Quebec's provincial election, as five party leaders make their case to voters in the final debate of the campaign.
September 24 · 15 min
Why broadcaster Paul Workman kept his cancer a secret
Paul Workman was a foreign correspondent for more than 35 years, covering conflict and catastrophes around the world for CTV and CBC News. But when he was diagnosed with myelofibrosis, a rare type of blood cancer, he chose not to tell his employer and to keep on working. We speak with Paul Workman about why he decided to keep his disease secret, and where one draws the line about what your employer needs to know about your health.
September 24 · 24 min
She became an undercover RCMP agent to catch her abuser
In 2007, 20-year-old Vienna Luke was sexually assaulted by her brother-in-law. Decades later with the support of her older sister Shawnessy Luke, Vienna went undercover to elicit a confession from her abuser.  Their story is the subject of a new CBC podcast “<a href="https://app.magellan.ai/listen_links/TheCurrentAgentLayla" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Personally: Agent Layla.</a>”
September 24 · 9 min
The race to classify the world’s unidentified species
It's been a big week for new species. First, a new cat species was announced and then a new penguin made headlines. But scientists say this is just the tip of a rather huge iceberg.   Dirk Steinke is amongst the scientists who believe there are literally millions of species in the world yet to be revealed. Most are insects, spiders, and arthropods but there are some bigger animals to find too. Steinke is a research scientist at the Centre for Biodiversity Genomics at the University of Gu
September 23 · 19 min
Anne Applebaum on the new world disorder
The American author argues in her The Atlantic cover story "Empire of Grift" that Donald Trump and his circle have revolutionized U.S. foreign policy for private gain. Some of it is ideological. Much of it is driven by self-interest. Anne Applebaum says Canada is right to adapt. And she wonders if America understands what it has become.
September 23 · 15 min
Why does New Brunswick need American hunters and fishers?
New Brunswick is considering banning fishing and hunting licences for American citizens, as part of their government's response to the latest round of U.S. tariffs. But Americans make up the majority of clients for most outfitters in the province — and they pay thousands of dollars to hunt moose, Atlantic salmon, black bears, and other local wildlife in the province. Canadian outfitters say a ban on Americans would put many local hunting and fishing guides out of business.
September 23 · 24 min
AI is everywhere, how can universities adapt?
With artificial intelligence on the rise, teaching staff at many universities are taking a hard look at how they teach and assess their students. Carleton University Religion Professor Shawna Dolansky talks about why she's banned all technology from her classrooms. McMaster University Physical Engineering Professor Mike Welland discusses how he's integrating AI into his teaching. And Samuel Madden, the co-chair of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Ad Hoc Committee on AI Use in Teach
September 23 · 10 min
The White House press pool boycotts the President
The White House press pool is banding together to suspend its video coverage of U.S. President Donald Trump. It comes after Trump banned CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House. The Atlantic staff writer David A. Graham talks about why Trump is taking this step now and what it means for press freedom in the U.S.
September 22 · 24 min
How AI is changing how kids learn in schools
Across the country, schools are grappling with how to use artificial intelligence in the classroom and it's sparking a debate over how to balance the risks of AI in education against the benefits. Ben Humphreys is a member of the group Parents for AI Caution in Educational Spaces Vancouver and is calling for a two year pause on the technology in schools. Simon Worley is a high school teacher in North Vancouver who's incorporating AI in his classroom. Dr Dana Suskind is the Co-Director of the
September 22 · 9 min
Labour leaders critical of federal move to end strikes
Bea Bruske, president of the Canadian Labour Congress, joins us to weigh in on freshly introduced government legislation that aims to increase speed and certainty around major infrastructure projects — which labour leaders worry could infringe on workers' right to strike.
September 22 · 9 min
Jewish community shaken by gunfire outside synagogue
A police constable was injured in a shootout by the Sons of Jacob synagogue as Yom Kippur services began. Synagogue President Norm Weddum believes that the officer saved the lives of everyone huddled inside. The alleged shooter is in hospital in life threatening condition. Weddum wants to know why he went on the attack.
September 22 · 25 min
How a KGB spy's erectile dysfunction changed history
Bestselling author Ben Macintyre has told many compelling spy stories — but Vladimir Kuzichkin's may be the most unusual yet. In his new book, Redwood, Macintyre explains how Kuzichkin's obsessive desire to find a solution to his own sexual problems drove him to defect from the Soviet KGB and start spying for British Intelligence in Tehran in the 1980s, and why the intelligence he gathered altered the course of Iranian history, changed the balance of power in the Middle East, and played a piv
September 21 · 16 min
Should you Brick your phone?
As people try to spend less time on social media apps, devices like a Brick are surging in popularity. The device forces users to tap their phones in order to access the platforms, creating physical space between the user and the apps. But is relying on more technology to curb our bad phone habits the right approach?
September 21 · 19 min
Parliament returns!
Our national affairs panel looks ahead to a busy political season — amid a trade war, US midterms, an election in Quebec and a referendum in Alberta.
September 21 · 24 min
Edward Burtynsky on the price of prosperity
Edward Burtynsky is world famous for his monumental photographs that reveal in overwhelming detail the impact that human beings have had on planet earth. He has travelled all over the world documenting mines, quarries, recycling yards, tailings pods, refineries and factories — places that are essential to the modern world but few of us get to see. We talk about how his working class upbringing in St. Catharines, Ontario, working at General Motors, and in gold mines of northern Ontario shapes
September 21 · 10 min
What does pawpaw taste like and where can you find one?
Long before the arrival of Europeans, Indigenous communities enjoyed the pawpaw fruit that grew wild along rivers and streams. Now that tropical tasting fruit is having a resurgence amongst Indigenous chefs and people who prefer local treats. Chef Tawyna Brant explains what she loves about the pawpaw fruit and how she likes to cook with it.
September 18 · 23 min
Protecting cyclists as the sport gets faster and faster
Beginning Sunday, Montreal hosts the UCI Road World Championships. Top cyclists from around the world will compete. But with racers averaging speeds of 42 kilometres an hour, it is a dangerous sport. Crashes are common, and sometimes fatal. This year alone, three competitive riders died during races, with at least six more killed on training rides. In his documentary, CBC’s John Chipman investigates what some cyclists say is an urgent need to protect riders.
September 18 · 9 min
Is hockey still Canada's game?
With the NHL back in action, what does the hockey season mean to Canadians if it's not easy to watch? As Hockey Night in Canada moves off CBC onto Sportsnet and Amazon, who will be tuning in — and what does that mean for Canada’s game?

Showing 21–40 of 116 episodes